The extremely reliable, efficient, and quiet toroidal magnetic core lasts a lifetime. The transformer also runs cooler than conventional laminated magnetic types. The solid stainless steel body further ensures that this transformer will never corrode.

The 12 to 22 volt taps provide the ability to compensate for voltage loss. For example, using the 22 volt tap, you could install up to 60W of LED lights with a wire run of 600 ft. of #10/2 cable! (Note - we don't advise planning for such long runs - better to relocate your transformer).

The 22-volt tap also allows you to increase your transformer load on shorter runs. For example, with a 150 ft. run using #10/2 - you can load up to 140W of LED lights.

Easily one of the best low voltage transformers on the market. Don't settle on any lesser quality! Order your commercial-grade low voltage transformer today from VOLT®

Features & Benefits:

Large ports enable 6+ cable home runs per each 300w circuit. (e.g. 6 home runs on a 300w transformer, 12 runs on a 600w, 18 runs on a 900w, 24 runs on a 1200w transformer!)

Timer and photocell ready ports (timer and photocell not included).

Toroid core--runs cooler, quieter, more efficient, lasts longer.

Only draws as much electricity as needed to illuminate the bulbs you have -- e.g. a 1200w transformer will only draw 400w of power if you only have 400 watts of bulbs hooked to it. Guidelines suggest never loading the transformer to more than 80% of capacity (960 watts for this model).

Built-in stainless steel mounting bracket.

Includes a 5 1/2ft line voltage power supply cord. Not designed to be hardwired or for use with an extension cord, doing so will void any warranties.

These transformers use two coils, a primary coil and a secondary coil, to reduce the voltage from 120 volt down to 12 volts. The primary coil carries the line voltage (108 v to 132 v). The flow of electricity through the primary coil induces a magnetic field that creates a current in the secondary coil. Since the secondary coil has 10 times fewer windings, it creates a current with 10 times lower voltage.

Two Magnetic Types. There are two types of magnetic landscape lighting transformers. These vary by the type of core:

Laminated/stacked cores (also know as EI type). Laminated or stacked windings have sheets wrapped in copper wire that are then stacked or laminated together to make a core. This is the more common, less expensive method for manufacturing a core. These are less efficient, run hotter and are noisier than toroidal cores.

Toroidal cores. These are one solid unit shaped like a donut and have the windings wrapped around the donut, in and out of the donut hole. Toroidal cores are more efficient, experience less buzz, and run cooler but are more expensive to make.

The choice of whether or not to use a toroidal core also depends the system load. Systems with relatively high loads - such as lighting systems with 10 or more fixtures, benefit the most from toroidal cores; smaller systems - such as those with less than 50 watts of load, are served well with EI laminated types. This is why VOLT® sells its smallest transformer (75 watt capacity) with an EI core.

What are Electronic Transformers?

This transformer type converts the 120 volt current to 12 volts by first increasing the frequency of the current (from 60 Hz to as high as 20,000 Hz). The increased frequency allows the use of a miniature core enabling the transformer to be very small, light, and inexpensive. The biggest downside is that their high frequency current may not be compatible with LED circuits. These currents also suffer from extensive voltage loss compared to magnetic types. A 12-volt electronic transformer must be positioned within about 10 ft. of the fixture. Electronic transformers are also subject to overheating and premature failure.
For all these reasons, VOLT® only uses electronic transformers for indoor lights such as under-cabinet and strip lighting.

Still have questions about transformer types? Call our lighting specialists at 813-978-3700.

The extremely reliable, efficient, and quiet toroidal magnetic core lasts a lifetime. The transformer also runs cooler than conventional laminated magnetic types. The solid stainless steel body further ensures that this transformer will never corrode.

The 12 to 22 volt taps provide the ability to compensate for voltage loss. For example, using the 22 volt tap, you could install up to 60W of LED lights with a wire run of 600 ft. of #10/2 cable! (Note - we don't advise planning for such long runs - better to relocate your transformer).

The 22-volt tap also allows you to increase your transformer load on shorter runs. For example, with a 150 ft. run using #10/2 - you can load up to 140W of LED lights.

Easily one of the best low voltage transformers on the market. Don't settle on any lesser quality! Order your commercial-grade low voltage transformer today from VOLT®

Features & Benefits:

Large ports enable 6+ cable home runs per each 300w circuit. (e.g. 6 home runs on a 300w transformer, 12 runs on a 600w, 18 runs on a 900w, 24 runs on a 1200w transformer!)

Timer and photocell ready ports (timer and photocell not included).

Toroid core--runs cooler, quieter, more efficient, lasts longer.

Only draws as much electricity as needed to illuminate the bulbs you have -- e.g. a 1200w transformer will only draw 400w of power if you only have 400 watts of bulbs hooked to it. Guidelines suggest never loading the transformer to more than 80% of capacity (960 watts for this model).

Built-in stainless steel mounting bracket.

Includes a 5 1/2ft line voltage power supply cord. Not designed to be hardwired or for use with an extension cord, doing so will void any warranties.

These transformers use two coils, a primary coil and a secondary coil, to reduce the voltage from 120 volt down to 12 volts. The primary coil carries the line voltage (108 v to 132 v). The flow of electricity through the primary coil induces a magnetic field that creates a current in the secondary coil. Since the secondary coil has 10 times fewer windings, it creates a current with 10 times lower voltage.

Two Magnetic Types. There are two types of magnetic landscape lighting transformers. These vary by the type of core:

Laminated/stacked cores (also know as EI type). Laminated or stacked windings have sheets wrapped in copper wire that are then stacked or laminated together to make a core. This is the more common, less expensive method for manufacturing a core. These are less efficient, run hotter and are noisier than toroidal cores.

Toroidal cores. These are one solid unit shaped like a donut and have the windings wrapped around the donut, in and out of the donut hole. Toroidal cores are more efficient, experience less buzz, and run cooler but are more expensive to make.

The choice of whether or not to use a toroidal core also depends the system load. Systems with relatively high loads - such as lighting systems with 10 or more fixtures, benefit the most from toroidal cores; smaller systems - such as those with less than 50 watts of load, are served well with EI laminated types. This is why VOLT® sells its smallest transformer (75 watt capacity) with an EI core.

What are Electronic Transformers?

This transformer type converts the 120 volt current to 12 volts by first increasing the frequency of the current (from 60 Hz to as high as 20,000 Hz). The increased frequency allows the use of a miniature core enabling the transformer to be very small, light, and inexpensive. The biggest downside is that their high frequency current may not be compatible with LED circuits. These currents also suffer from extensive voltage loss compared to magnetic types. A 12-volt electronic transformer must be positioned within about 10 ft. of the fixture. Electronic transformers are also subject to overheating and premature failure.
For all these reasons, VOLT® only uses electronic transformers for indoor lights such as under-cabinet and strip lighting.

Still have questions about transformer types? Call our lighting specialists at 813-978-3700.

I am a bit unclear about the ports. I need 18 runs, 50W each, for a large project, so this is perfect. Do I connect all runs all at the transformer with cable sized for 12V, ~5A (50/12, rounded up for safety)? Are there enough ports for that?

There are 4 common ports on that transformer, along with 9 voltage taps. The transformer should be able to hold up to 6 main runs using 12/2 gauge wire. With 18 runs you might want to marry some into one another to cut down on quantity of runs.

I was dealing with a real mess of an existing system - way too many lights, on way too lengthy of runs, through tiny 14 gauge wire. The only way to really fix this was to run LED lighting instead of Halogen. That meant finding a toroidal core transformer like this one because you can't run LEDs on the old laminated magnetic core type. Yes, it was a bit more expensive to change over when you add the cost of the LED bulbs to the transformer. But, my power consumption went down to just 119 watts from 816 watts. My electric bill savings alone will pay for the retrofit. And, both the power supply and the LED light bulbs have Lifetime Warranties. The lights are so much brighter, and the wholes system runs cool without the annoying hum my old magnetic transformer put out. I can't recommend this enough. Powerful and flawless performance in a tough stainless steel case! Thank you Volt!

I had an older 1200 watt GardenLights transformer that had burned out and (a) could not be repaired due to its age and (b) the original provider GardenLights LED was not able to replace the transformer and I specifically needed the 15v through 22v taps, this unit literally fit right in place on the bracket and everything plugged right in and lit up perfectly. EXTREMELY HAPPY!